Writing in his blog for People, Lowe heaped praise on Hartsock's parents, saying that he "fell in love" with them and describing them as "accepting" and "the sweetest people" he had met.

"Her brother was a different story though," he added. "I'm still confused as to what led her brother to call me a playboy and a fake. He decided to attack my character and integrity and I honestly don't know what provoked him.

"Regardless, he doesn't know me and he sure as hell can't speak to my integrity. As badly as I wanted to go off on him, I had to hold back because I didn't want to cause a huge scene and embarrass Des and her parents."

Lowe went on: "Her brother didn't affect the way I looked at Des, but it did make me wonder if I could be in the same family as her brother."

Sean has admitted he isn't sure why Desiree's brother called him a playboy

The 29-year-old, who explained that he sent Hartsock home because he wasn't ready to say goodbye to Catherine Giudici, admitted that seeing Hartsock leave was "awful".

"She was telling me I was making a mistake and I was starting to believe her," he said. "I wasn't ready to see her go, but I knew if I kept her I'd have to send someone else home in her place, and I wasn't prepared to do that. It was an excruciating, confusing and emotional night, and I was just praying that I wouldn't regret my decision."